3.52 The Efficacy of an Online Mindfulness-Based Self-Esteem Improvement Intervention in Adolescents: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective is to evaluate the efficacy of a developed online mindfulness-based self-esteem improvement (MBSI online) intervention in increasing self-esteem, mindfulness, and resilience in adolescents and to assess the feasibility and satisfaction of the intervention. The MBSI online intervention was established in Thailand with the approval of mindfulness practice experts and program tryouts. Seventy adolescents aged 15 to 18 years, with low to moderate self-esteem from across Thailand, were recruited and equally assigned to the intervention and waiting list control groups by stratified randomization. Baseline demographic data, self-esteem, mindfulness, and resilience have no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. The intervention group received an 8-week MBSI online group intervention. Self-esteem, mindfulness, and resilience were measured in both groups at baseline, week 4, after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up. The intention-to-treat analysis for within-group and between-group comparison was performed by repeated-measures ANOVA, independent t test, and ANCOVA adjusted for baseline. The results showed an increase in self-esteem, mindfulness, and resilience in the intervention group over time from week 4, after the intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up (p < .001) compared to baseline. There was a statistically significant difference in self-esteem, mindfulness, and resilience (p < .05) between the 2 groups at week 4, after the intervention, at 1-month follow-up, and at 3-month follow-up. The effect size of the intervention in raising self-esteem was large both after the intervention (n2 = 0.348) and at 3-month follow-up (n2 = 0.251). The dropout rate was 25.7%. The overall intervention satisfaction was high as most participants rated it as very satisfied in all 5 aspects: usefulness (92.3%), user-friendliness (96.1%), homework (92.3%), facilitator (100%), and online platform (96.1%). The MBSI online group intervention was effective in increasing self-esteem, mindfulness, and resilience with a large effect size and high satisfaction rate for adolescents with low to moderate self-esteem. The intervention is considered to be a useful and easily accessible intervention, to prevent psychological illnesses caused by low self-esteem.